Hey everyone,
For those of you who are regulars in this forum, you’ll know that for the past few months I’ve been trying to get my cat back to South Africa. Well, I’ve done everything that needs to be done, almost.
I’m leaving pretty soon, next week on the 8th August, a Tuesday. I’m going to the vet tomorrow morning to get the final health papers from the State Vet, etc.
Now, I’ve booked a flight for the cat. It leaves the day before I do, the 7th. It leaves from Kaohsiung airport, which is convenient… BUT it goes through Hong Kong.
People seem to say avoid Hong Kong like the plague when transporting animals. The freighting company told me that the cat just needs an import permit and it will go through fine. But, I can ONLY apply for the permit tomorrow, AFTER I’ve gotten the export permit (Tomorrow was the soonest it could be done; rule is 10 days within departure, that was Saturday, but the dept is not open on weekends). After much searching on the internet, I’ve discovered that the Hong Kong office issues the papers in 5 working days. I’m scared that this will be too late for the cat’s departure date.
The other option is Singapore airlines. This seems to be easier and a lot less hassle, BUT the flights only leave from CKS airport. I have no idea how to get the cat there. I don’t know if buses will take cats, and besides, then I’d pretty much have to bus it up there, then bus it back, about 11 hours in a bus…
I’d prefer to go with Singapore but as it is, it looks like Hong Kong is the only option. I’ll just have to sweat it and pray that permit comes though on time. Anyone have any suggestions?
